BERLIN (Germany) - In less than a year, Germany will play at the Olympics thanks to their amazing World Cup summer.

The Germans will arrive at the Summer Games in France as world champions for the first time, and full of confidence that they will have as good a chance as any team to win the Olympic gold medal.

That's according to their veteran big man, Johannes Thiemann, a linchpin in the squad for the past several years.

"Basically, I believe that we can repeat a coup like the one at the World Cup," Thiemann said to Sports Illustrated Deutschland.

The main reason for this confidence: Thiemann and his teammates have won the toughest international challenge there is.

"In terms of the structure of the tournament, the Olympics are almost easier than a World Cup," he said.

The 29-year-old helped Germany win the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Croatia in 2021 before competing at the Tokyo Games and playing on a team that reached the Quarter-Finals.

Germany followed that up with a run to the podium at FIBA EuroBasket 2022.

This summer, they went undefeated at the FIBA Basketball World Cup and won the title for the first time.

“THE AMERICANS WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY STRONGER  ... CURRY, LEBRON AND ALL THE OTHERS WANT TO PLAY."

Germany won this summer after emerging from arguably the toughest of all groups in Okinawa unscathed with wins over Australia, Finland, and Japan.

They followed that with Second Round victories over Slovenia and Georgia to advance.

Germany then edged Latvia in the Quarter-Finals, USA in the Semi-Finals, and Serbia in the title game to lift the Naismith Trophy.

Thiemann and his teammates are now considered national heroes after this historic achievement.

Can they duplicate the feat with a top-of-the-podium finish in Paris?

"The Americans will be significantly stronger than at the World Cup," Thiemann said. "(Stephen) Curry, LeBron (James) and all the others want to play.

"Of course, it's much more difficult against them.

"But the last two tournaments have shown: We don't have to hide from anyone. A lot is always possible, especially in a final when there is also a nervousness factor - even against the USA."

Thiemann and Germany beat Poland in the Third-Place Game at EuroBasket 2022

Should Germany and USA square off in a big game, the former will have the advantage of continuity since so many of their players have been a part of the program for the past several years in numerous FIBA events.

USA, if Curry and James suit up, will also have players that have vast international experience.

Curry won the FIBA Basketball World Cup twice in 2010 and 2014, while James claimed Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 and finished 3rd at the World Cup 2006.

Yet it's been a long time since both of those players have worn the USA jersey.

Germany could also have a roster to envy with multiple players on NBA franchises as well as those, like Thiemann who is with Alba Berlin, on important European teams.

That fact, and the aspect of continuity, and the confidence born from the last three summers, will make Germany formidable.

USA came in fourth at the World Cup yet qualified for the Olympics as one of the two national teams with the highest finishes in the tournament.

The other Americas team is Canada, who beat USA in the Third-Place Game.

FIBA